AMA Journal of Ethics®

Illuminating the art of medicine

December 2010 Contents

Ethical Issues in Ophthalmology

Ethics Poll

Would you allow a resident ophthalmologist to perform your cataract surgery under the supervision of a more experienced ophthalmologist?

Yes. No questions asked.

Only after asking about how many he or she had completed successfully and being satisfied with the answer.

Only if my request for a more experienced ophthalmologist was declined.

Not under any conditions.

Don't know.

I get a full, eye-dilated exam:

Annually or more frequently.

Once every 2 to 4 years.

About once every 5 years.

Less than every 5 years.

The driving license test is the only eye test I get.

Currently, in all states but Oklahoma, optometrists are not allowed to perform eye surgery, which includes the administration of injectable drugs. Optometrists have attempted to expand their scope of practice in a number of other states. I would feel comfortable if optometrists were allowed to perform:

Nothing more than is currently allowed.

Laser surgery, but not nonlaser surgery or injections.

Laser surgery and injections, but not procedures performed with scalpels.